Denzel Washington on 'Gladiator 2': 'There are very few movies left to make that I'm interested in'

Next November, Paramount Pictures will release in theaters one of the most anticipated sequels of the year, Gladiator 2, Set several decades after the events of the acclaimed Gladiator of Ridley Scottwho returns as director.

The film marks a new collaboration between Scott and Denzel Washingtonhis first since American Gangster (2007).

Washington plays Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer who the actor describes to Empire Magazine as someone “who wants to be emperor and is willing to do whatever it takes to get there.”

The Oscar-winning actor is familiar with both the work of Ridley Scottlike his brother's, Tony Scottwho lost his life in 2012, and with whom Washington worked on films such as Man On Fire, Crimson Tide, Already seen y Unstoppable.

On collaborating with both filmmakers, Washington said:

“I don't compare directors. You see the different personalities. I guess so.” [tienen similitudes]. On the days when we're filming, I'm busy with what I'm doing. So I'm not comparing this one to that one, but obviously they're both great filmmakers. They can't fail.”

Ridley Scott was all the reason Washington needed to say yes to Gladiator 2:

“I have very few films left to make that interest me, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and Ridley inspired me a lot.”

“We had a great first round [en American Gangster]and here we are. [Ridley] He is engaged. He is excited about life and his next film. He is an inspiration. We should all want to feel that way at 86.”

In the sequel, Paul Mescal (Aftersun, Normal People, All of Us Strangers) plays the adult version of Lucius, a role played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original installment.

Gladiator II It takes place two decades after the events of the first film in ancient Rome; It focuses on Lucius (Mescal), grandson of the former Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and now adult son of the Emperor Commodus.who resides with his family in Numidia. After ending up in slavery following an invasion led by the Roman general Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), Lucius wants his own revenge story and competes as a gladiator after being inspired by the exploits of Maximus (Russell Crowe) as a child.

They are accompanied in the cast, Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) in an antagonistic role as the Emperor Geta, Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus, Thelma) like the Emperor Caracalla, Rory McCann (Game of Thrones), Matt Lucas (Wonka), and the returns of Connie Nielsen like Lucilla, and that of Sir Derek Jacobi like Gracchus

Gladiator (2000) from Scott, winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, followed the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a former general who is forced to be a common gladiator under the rule of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), a self-proclaimed patricide emperor of Rome.

SYNOPSIS:

“From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue and revenge set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now rule Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and ​​honor to restore the glory of Rome to its people.”

David Scarpa write the script for Gladiator 2marking a new collaboration with Scott, after having written the script for All the Money in the World.

Scott directs and produces the sequel launched in November 2018. Michael Pruss is also a producer, along with Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are executive producers.

Several members of the original film's behind-the-scenes crew have returned to work on the sequel, including director of photography John Matieson, while Arthur Max and Janty Yates return to production design and costume design, respectively.

Paramount set the release date for Gladiator 2 by November 22, 2024.